Alexander Nwala joined WSDL after completing his MS in another research group in the department.

Shawn Jones was granted status as a PhD student even though officially he hasn't defended his MS thesis yet.

In April we introduced our now famous "PhD Crush" board that allows us to track students' progress through the various hoops they must jump through. Although it started as sort of a joke, it's quite handy and popular -- I now wish we had instituted it long ago.

All of this adds up to a very busy and successful 2014. Looking ahead to 2015, as well as continued publication and funding success, we are expecting to graduate both one MS & one Ph.D. student and host another visiting researcher (Michael Herzog, Magdeburg-Stendal University).

Thanks to everyone that made 2014 such a great success, and here's to a great start to 2015!